Check Before You Book

Definitions

In these Terms:

• “Company” means Lytham Van Hire Limited.
• “Customer” / “Hirer” means the person(s) hiring the Vehicle and any authorised driver(s).
• “Vehicle” means the vehicle supplied by the Company, including keys, documents, tools, accessories and equipment.
• “Hire Period” means the agreed dates and times for collection and return.
• “Hire Deposit” means the £150 deposit taken on the day of hire.
• “Excess” means the insurance excess stated on the rental agreement.
• “CDW” (Collision Damage Waiver) means the optional waiver that protects the Company from the excess if the Company makes an insurance claim. CDW does not refund or remove the Customer’s excess liability.
• “Insurer” means Xpekt / First Underwriting or any insurer appointed by the Company.

Booking, Payment & Hire Deposit

• A £150 Hire Deposit is taken on the day of hire before the Vehicle is released.
• The Hire Deposit may be used to cover: fuel discrepancies, excess mileage, cleaning charges, late return fees, lost keys, minor damage and administration fees.
• The Hire Deposit is not the insurance excess and does not limit the Customer’s liability for damage.
• If the total charges exceed the £150 Hire Deposit, the Customer agrees to pay any additional balance in full upon invoice. The Company will retain the £150 Hire Deposit and issue an invoice for the remaining amount owed.
• The Hire Deposit (or remaining balance after deductions) is refunded once the Vehicle has been inspected and signed off by Company staff.
• Payment must be made by debit, credit card or bank transfer. Cash hires are not insured and will not be accepted.
• All amounts are in Pounds Sterling (£) and include VAT where applicable.

Hire Period

• The Hire Period begins at the exact agreed collection time and ends only when the Vehicle is returned, inspected and signed off by the Company.
• The Customer is responsible for the Vehicle until sign off is completed.
• Hire durations are calculated based on the total time between collection and return. The Company offers the following hire types:

• The website booking system will automatically determine the correct hire type and price based on the Customer’s selected start and end times.
• Extensions must be requested at least 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability and additional charges.
• Unauthorised extensions or late returns may result in hourly or daily late fees and the Vehicle being reported as overdue.

Collection & Return

Standard hours:

• Mon–Thu: 08:30–17:30
• Fri: 08:30–16:00
• Sat: 09:00–13:00
• Sun: Closed

Out of hours collection/return:

• Available only by prior agreement
• Charged at £20 per hour (or part thereof) outside standard hours

Return requirements:

• Vehicle must be returned in the same condition and fuel level as at collection.
• All keys, documents and accessories must be returned.
• A 15 minute grace period may be allowed at the Company’s discretion.
• Late return fees apply immediately after the grace period.

If the Customer returns the Vehicle outside business hours (with permission), they remain responsible for the Vehicle until inspected by staff.

Use of the Vehicle

The Customer agrees that the Vehicle:

• May only be driven within mainland Great Britain.
• Must not be used for:
  • Racing, pace making, track days, competitions or speed tests
  • Off road driving
  • Towing without written permission
  • Transporting hazardous or illegal materials
  • Hire or reward (unless specifically insured for this)
• Must not be driven by anyone not named on the rental agreement.
• Must be locked and secured when unattended.
• Must be protected from severe weather.
• Must be filled only with the correct fuel (misfuelling is fully chargeable).

Driver Requirements

All drivers must:

• Be aged 21–78.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.
• Provide licence, proof of address and ID at collection.
• Consent to licence checks if required.

Additional drivers:

• Up to two additional drivers may be added.
• All must meet insurance requirements.
• Additional charges apply.

Customer Responsibilities

The Customer must:

• Look after the Vehicle and keys.
• Use all security devices provided.
• Use the correct fuel.
• Report faults immediately.
• Not allow unauthorised repairs.
• Not give anyone legal rights over the Vehicle.
• Not overload the Vehicle.
• Not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Customer is responsible for any resultant damage caused by failing to meet these responsibilities.

Damage, Accidents & Reporting

In the event of damage, theft or an accident:

• Do not admit liability.
• Obtain names, addresses and details of all parties and witnesses.
• Make the Vehicle secure.
• Contact the police if required.
• Report the incident to the Company immediately, when safe to do so, on 07438 573153.
• Complete an incident report within 24 hours.

A £50 damage administration fee applies per incident.

In the event of any incident involving damage, theft, collision, or loss (regardless of fault), the Customer is immediately liable for a fixed charge of £1500. The £150 Hire Deposit will be deducted from this amount, and the remaining £1350 must be paid by the Customer upon invoice. This £1500 charge is separate from and not limited by the insurance excess. If the total repair cost is lower than £1500, the difference will be refunded to the Customer once repair invoices are received. If the repair cost exceeds £1500, the Customer remains liable for the full amount of the loss unless covered by insurance.

Insurance, Excess & Liability

• Insurance is provided subject to the insurer’s terms.
• The Customer is liable for the full excess stated on the rental agreement for each incident.
• The excess is payable regardless of fault unless a third party accepts liability in writing.
• The excess is not refundable under any circumstances unless the repair cost is lower than the excess.
• The Customer’s fixed £1500 incident liability (as stated in Section 8) applies in all cases and is not dependent on the insurance excess. The insurance excess may be higher or lower than £1500, but the Customer’s £1500 liability to the Company remains fixed and payable immediately following an incident.
• CDW does not refund or remove the excess; it protects the Company, not the Customer.
• An extra CDW can be purchased separately by the Customer to protect them. This does not involve the Company.
• The Company is not obligated to make an insurance claim.
• If the Company chooses not to claim, the Customer remains liable for the full cost of damage up to the excess.
• If insurance is invalidated (e.g., misuse, negligence, breach of terms), the Customer is liable for all damage, losses and recovery costs.
• The Customer is liable for any uninsured losses, including:
  • Tyres
  • Windscreens
  • Interior damage
  • Misfuelling
  • Overloading damage
  • Lost keys
  • Recovery due to misuse

Charges & Fees

Hire Type Rates

• 4 Hour Hire: Charged at the published 4 hour rate
• Working Day Hire: Charged at the published working day rate
• Full Day Hire (24 hours): Charged at the published 24 hour rate
• Multi Day Hire: Charged per 24 hour period

The Customer is also liable for:

• Parking fines
• Traffic offences
• Toll charges
• Congestion charges
• Loss of income if the Vehicle is off road due to damage

Breakdown & Assistance

• 24/7 UK wide roadside assistance is provided.
• Misuse related breakdowns are chargeable to the Customer.

Termination

The Company may terminate the hire immediately if:

• The Customer breaches these Terms.
• The Customer provides false information.
• The Vehicle is misused.

Early return does not entitle the Customer to a refund.

The Company may repossess the Vehicle at the Customer’s expense if necessary.

Data Protection

Customer data is processed in accordance with the Company’s Privacy Policy at:

https://www.lythamvanhire.co.uk/privacy-policy

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.